Thermoformed Article Stacking Machine with Fixed Seats
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stacking machines for thermoformed articles in thermoforming systems have a high number of moving parts, leading to increased mechanical stresses, productivity limitations, and frequent maintenance needs due to large moving masses and cumbersome intermediate storage baskets.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a reduced number of moving parts, featuring a moving collection plate and transfer plate with limited mass, forming stacks on a fixed structure with parallel seats, eliminating the need for intermediate storage baskets and using pusher means and conveyor devices for efficient stack transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If intermediate storage baskets are used to collect and form complete stacks, then stacks can be formed and transferred, but the machine requires a large number of moving members with very large mass, increasing moments of inertia and mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate storage basket from the system. Instead of using a complex basket mechanism to collect and transfer stacks, the invention uses a simplified conveyor belt system that directly receives articles from the molding machine and forms stacks in a fixed station, removing the heavy moving mass while maintaining stack formation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by making the stack forming station fixed rather than moving. Instead of moving a basket to collect stacks, the conveyor brings articles to a stationary stacking location, reversing the motion paradigm and reducing moving mass
2Ease of operation
If a large number of moving members are used in the stacking machine, then stacks can be collected and transferred, but mechanical stresses increase and frequent machine stops for maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex basket mechanism and intermediate storage systems, replacing them with a simple conveyor belt and fixed stack forming station. This extraction of unnecessary moving parts directly reduces mechanical stresses and increases machine reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt system automatically transports articles and the fixed stack forming station automatically assembles stacks without requiring complex moving mechanisms. The system serves itself through automated conveyor-based transport rather than complex mechanical manipulation
3Productivity
If intermediate storage baskets with large mass are used, then complete stacks can be formed and transferred, but productivity is limited due to high moments of inertia
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the intermediate storage basket entirely, replacing it with a direct conveyor-based system that transports articles to a fixed stacking station. This removes the complex moving mass that limited productivity while maintaining efficient stack formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional moving basket approach by using a fixed stacking station with a conveyor that brings articles to it. This inversion transforms the system from one with large moving masses to one with minimal moving parts, increasing productivity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
There are described a machine and a process for stacking thermoformed articles, wherein the thermoformed articles are ejected from a moving mould (1) and held in a moving collection plate (10) for a certain number of cycles, then transferred to a moving transfer plate (20) and taken to a stack forming station (30) composed of a plurality of fixed parallel seats (37) with axes lying on a single plane. The completed stacks (50) are then transferred to a conveyor device (60) to be conveyed to subsequent processing steps.